Phil Picardi Feature Archive

Can Democrats wrestle away control from one or both houses of the state Legislature? Also, was a Mankato coach engaged in "innocent family fun" or pornography? And, Minnesota tribes say no to a wolf hunt on tribal land. That and much more today on the MPR News Update.
(11/01/2012)

Today on the MPR News Update, news from 8th and 6th congressional district races, a debate on the Voter ID constitutional amendment, the retirement of the Minneapolis police chief, and the aftermath of superstorm Sandy -- including help from Minnesota.
(10/31/2012)

Today, we go into the basement to track the history of the same-sex marriage debate in Minnesota. We also remember Paul Wellstone. Jim Graves is trying to unseat Michele Bachmann. Tempers are raised over voter ID. Ranchers celebrate the new wolf hunt. And there's a new anti-bullying panel in the Anoka-Hennepin schools.
(10/25/2012)

On the MPR News Update today, we pull together the post-mortem on the final presidential debate. The owners of Accent Signage say they're back in business after last month's shooting rampage. Outside groups are spending a lot on Minnesota's elections. And the Minnesota Orchestra isn't tapping its endowment during a contract dispute. First, let's get through the debate fallout:
(10/23/2012)

Today on the MPR News Update the government wins its case in the al-Shabab trial. A congressman and his challenger exchange heated words in an on-air debate. There's a Minnesota connection to the Boy Scouts sex abuse scandal. And we wrap up our road-trip reporting on the marriage amendment in Grand Rapids. All that and more in the MPR News Update.
(10/19/2012)

Today on the MPR News Update we hear from marriage amendment supporters and opponents in Redwing and Moorhead. We have the latest on the Meningitis outbreack. The contract tussle at the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is reaching a crescendo. The contract to build a new Saints stadium goes public. There's more fresh produce in corner stores. And we find out who calls 911 the most...and why.
(10/18/2012)

Today: Separating fact from fiction with Obama and Romney, more Minnesotans are at risk of fungal meningitis, electronic pull tabs are a month old, Target will match online prices, Craavack and Nolan go another round, and a gunman's parents talk about his mental illness.
(10/17/2012)

Today on the MPR News Update the parents of the gunman in last month's shooting rampage in Minneapolis talk about his mental illness struggles. We look at the TV ad barrage in the 8th Congressional District. A Minnesota Lynx star speaks out against the marriage amendment. And the sugar beet harvest goes on despite a labor lockout.
(10/16/2012)

Today on the MPR News Update we look back at a rough weekend for Minnesota sports fans. Some seniors worry how they might be affected by the proposed voter ID amendment. And we hear from Michael Brodkorb in the wake of his firing from the state Senate over a sex scandal.
(10/15/2012)

Today on the MPR News Update, Fairbault residents are coming to grips with news about suspected abuse at the city's iconic prep school. Another victim of the shooting rampage at a Minneapolis business has died. Hundreds turned out for a memorial service dedicated to the late Sen. Paul Wellstone. And some Minnesota schools are having a hard time meeting the state's high expectations for arts education.
(10/11/2012)

Today on the update we put the state's orchestra turmoil in context. A Faribault prep school makes headlines with allegations of sexual abuse. The trial of an accused al-Shabab associate continues in Minneapolis. And in Anoka, a gay youth group is denied a place in the town's annual Halloween parade.
(10/10/2012)

Today on your MPR News Update: There's copper in them thar soils. Also, we hear about the dismissal of a St. Paul crime lab case due to inaccurate testing. Some Canadians tell Minnesota to pass the state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage - while others disagree. Safety-net hospitals sound the alarm about reduced government funding. And Jerry Sandusky learns his fate.
(10/09/2012)

Today on the Update: Premature talk about hosting the Super Bowl, the latest tussle over voter ID involves the military, Kurt Bills tries to chip away at Amy Klobuchar's voter base, and the Lynx are going to the WNBA finals again.
(10/08/2012)

Today we learn that the unemployment rate has recovered to the point it was at when Barack Obama took office, we hear Minnesotans may have been exposed to a dangerous form of meningitis, the trial of a Twin Cities terror suspect continues, and a university professor speaks with us again about his journey with ALS. All that and more on the MPR News Update.
(10/05/2012)